Ana Dulce Maria Ferrera

Ana Dulce Maria Ferrera (né Ortiz) was born to María Regla García and Bartolomeo Ortiz on September 12, 1926, in the town of San Antonio de los Baños, in the Province of La Habana, in the Republic of Cuba. Two years later, she was joined by her younger sister, Marcelina Ana Luisa (Lila) Martínez. Primarily raised by their mother, Dulce (as she was called by her family), and her sister Lila, even while as children, helped their mother make an income. Dulce was compelled to quit school at the age of 15 years, and start working in a match factory, one of many factory jobs that she would hold during her life.

Dulce married Secundino Ferrera, and they had three children: Victoria de las Mercedes, Dulce MarÍa and Elena.

In 1968, Dulce and Secundino, with their three children and little beyond clothes on their back, migrated to the United States to escape communism, and soon moved to Queens, New York. Dulce attented English classes at night in a public school and was able to master the language as a grown adult. She remained gainfully employed, working in a variety of manufacturing jobs, often relating the story of being laid off from one job in the morning and securing other employment in the afternoon of the same day.

Dulce kept her musical culture at home, often playing the music of Celia Cruz, Benny Moré, Olga Guillot, Daniel Santos, La Orquesta Aragón, La Sonora Matanzera, and many other artists. She had a wonderful singing voice, and taught her daughters to dance traditional latin dances. She was also a wonderful cook, and prepared many delicious dishes like ropa vieja, rice and beans and yucca with mojito, even taking them to picnics. Dulce was also famous for her killer flan. She also enjoyed her many trips to Atlantic City, among other places.

Dulce is survived by her three daughters, Mercy, Dulcita and Elena, by her sister Lila and by her nephew and Godson José Martínez. She also left this world on July 26, 2014 but her memory remains in the hearts of her loved ones.